Slurry pump



B. R. SMITH `Fume 20, 1967 SLURRY PUMP 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed sept. 22,1965 June 20, 1967 Filed Sept. 22, 1965 B. R. SMITH SLURRY PUMP 2Sheets-Sheet 2 :FLEET-4 United States Patent 3,326,135 SLURRY PUMPBobbie R. Smith, 737 SW. 50th St., Oklahoma City, Okla. 73109 FiledSept. 22, 1965, Ser. No. 489,129 14 Claims. (Cl. 103-49) This inventionrelates generally to improved reciprocatings pumps useful for pumpingconcrete slurry and the like. More particularly, but not by way oflimitation, this invention relates to an improved slurry pump having animproved valve therein.

In one aspect, this invention contemplates an improved pump valvecomprising: a housing having an open end, a closed end, and first,second and third openings extending through the wall thereof; a valvemember pivotally mounted in the housing and having a bore forming anopen end and a closed end, the closed end being disposed adjacent theclosed end of the housing, the valve member also including first andsecond spaced, annular flanges encircling the valve member in sealingengagement with the housing, a pair of spaced members extending betweenand connected with the flanges, and an aperture extending through thevalve member between the anges and spaced members; means journaling thevalve member in the housing; and, means connected with the open end ofthe valve member for pivoting the valve member from a posi- `tionaligning the aperture with the first opening to a position aligning theaperture with the second opening.

In another aspect, this invention contemplates an improved pump forpumping concrete slurry or the like comprising: the pump valve set forthhereinbefore; first and second cylinders having an open end connectedwith the first and second openings, respectively, in the valve housing;a piston in each of the cylinders; driving means operably connected withthe pistons for alternately reciprocating the pistons; la hopper mountedon the open end of the valve member and having an opening incommunication with the 'bore in the valve member; and, means connectedwith the open end of the valve lmember and operably interconnected withthe driving means for pivoting the `valve member from a position whereinthe aperture is aligned with the first opening when the piston in thefirst cylinder is moving relatively away from the open end thereof to aposition wherein the aperture is aligned with the second opening whenthe piston in the second cylinder is moving relatively away from theopen end thereof.

One object of this invention is to provide an improved pump capable ofhandling a slurry containing relatively large solid materials, such asthe aggregate used when mixing concrete. A

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved valve for usein a pump capable of handling concrete slurry and the like.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved concretepump having an extended service life.v

One further object of the invention is t-o provide an improvedv concretepump and improved v-alve for use therein that can be quickly, easily andeconomically manufactured.

The foregoing and additional objects and advantages of the inventionwill become more apparent Aas the following detailed description is readin conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like referencecharacters denote like parts in all views and wherein:

FIG. l is a side elevation view of a pump and valve constructed inIaccordance with the invention, a portion of the apparatus having -beenremoved for clarity of illustration;

FIG. 2 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the pump ice and valve ofFIG. l, taken substantially -along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, vertical cross-sectional view of the valveillustrated in FIG. 1, taken substantially along the line 3 3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation and control ofthe pump and valve of FIG. 1; and,

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional View similar to FIG. 3, but illustratinganother embodiment of valve also constructed in accordance with theinvention.

Embodz'ment 0f FIG. l

Referring to the drawing and to FIG. 1 in particular, shown therein andgenerally designated by the reference character 1G is a slurry pumpconstructed in accordance with the invention. The slurry pump 1)includes a pair of cylinders 12 and 14 (see FIG. 2) connected to a pumpvalve that is generally designated by the reference character 16.

As shown in FIG. 1, the slurry pump also includes a hemisphericallyshaped hopper 18 that is attached to the pump valve 16 by a plurality ofbrackets 20. The hopper 18 has a discharge opening 19 (see FIG. 3) inthe lower portion thereof adjacent the pump valve 16. A pair of valveoperating cylinders 22 and 24 (see FIG. 4) are operably connected to thepump valve 16 as will be described more fully hereinafter. The cylinders22 and 24 are connected to a frame 26 that is also connected with thepump valve 16 for the purpose of supporting the pump valve 16 on thevehicle or skid upon which the pump 10 is mounted. The vehicle or skidupon which the pump 10 is to be mounted is not shown, it being believedthat the method and apparatus used for mounting the pump 10 will bereadily apparent to those skilled in the art. Also, only `a portion ofthe frame 26 is illustrated, the remaining portion having been removedto more clearly illustrate the structure of the pump 10.

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate more clearly the structure of the pump valve16. As shown therein, the pump valve 16 includes a hollow cylindricalhousing 28 having an open upper end 30 and a closed lower end 32. Thehous ing 28 has an opening 33 extending through the side wall thereof.The opening 33 is in fluid communication with, the cylinder 19 throughan adapter 34 that is connected with the cylinder 14. A second opening36 also extends- -through the side wall of the housing 28 providingcommunication with the cylinder 12 through an adapter 3S.Ik

that is connected with the cylinder 12 and with the housing 28. A thirdopening 40 extends through the sideV wall of the housing 28 having adischarge member 42- connected therewith. As shown in FIG. 1, a flexibleconduit 44 is connected with the end of the discharge member 42 for thepurpose of delivering the slurry from the pump 10 to the locationwherein the slurry is tobe used.

As shown most clearly in FIG. 3, an O-ring seal 46 is located in anannular groove 48 in the interior of the housing 28. Similarly, a secondO-ring seal 50 is located in an annular groove 52 also located withinthe interiorof the housing 28 in spaced parallel relation with theannular groove 48.

A hollow valve member 54 is pivotally disposed within the interior ofthe housing 28. As clearly illustrated in FIG. 3, the hollow Ivalvemember 54 has a closed lower end 56 that extends radially outwardlyforming a lower flange S8 thereon. The outer periphery of the lowerflange 58 is in sealing engagement with the O-ring seal 50 in the valvehousing 28.

A shaft 60 extends downwardly from the closed lower end 56 of the valvemember 54 through the closed lower end 32 of the valve housing 28. Athrust bearing 62, encircling the shaft 60, is operably disposed betweenthe closed lower end 56 of the valve member 54 and the closed lower end32 of the valve housing 28 to journal the valve member 54 in the housing28. The thrust bearing 62 is of conventional construction and supportsthe valve member 54 both against thrust loads and radial loads that maybe imposed thereon.

The vlave member 54 includes a second exterior ange 64 extendingradially outwardly therefrom and having its outer periphery in sealingengagement with the O-ring seal 46 in the valve housing 28. As can beappreciated from viewing FIG. 3, the arrangement of the lower ange 58and the flange 64 in combination with the O-ring seals 46 and 50 formsan annular chamber 66 between the valve housing 28 and the valve member54.

As shown in FIG. 2, a pair of spaced, vertically extending members 68and 70 (shown in dash lines in FIG. 3) extend between the flanges 58 and64. Each of the members 68 and 70 has one edge attached to the valvemember 54 and has the other edge thereof in engagement with the interiorof the valve housing 28. The valve member 54 also includes an aperture72 that extends through the wall thereof providing communication fromthe interior of the hollow Valve member 54 into the space defined by theflanges 58 and 64 and the vertically extending members 68 and 70 forpurposes that will become more apparent as the description proceeds.

An upper annular ange 74 encircles the upper open end 76 of the valvemember 54. The upper annular flange 74 is connected to a sleeve 78 thatis attached to the valve member 54 by a plurality of threaded fasteners80. A shorter sleeve 82 is connected with and depends from the upperannular flange 74 near the outer periphery thereof.

The sleeve 82 carries a bearing member 84 that may be suitablyconstructed from a lubricant impregnated sintered bronze or the like.The bearing member 84 is in engagement with the valve housing 28 tojournal the upper end of the valve member 54 therein.

A partially threaded aperture 86 extends through the valve housing 28adjacent the exterior of the bearing member 84. A zirk tting 88 isthreaded into the partially threaded aperture 86 to provide forlubrication of the bearing member 84 from the exterior of the pump valve16.

A pair of operating members 90 and 92 are connected with the upperannular ange 74 by a plurality of threaded fasteners 94. As shown inFIGS. 1 and 4, the operating members 90 and 92 (only the member 90 isshown in FIG. 1) are pivotally connected with rod portions 95 and 96,respectively, of pistons 98 and 100 that are reciprocally disposed inthe cylinders 22 and 24, respectively.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, it can be seen that the cylinders 12 and 14have pistons 102 and 104 reciprocally disposed therein. A piston rod 106of the piston 102 is connected with a piston 108 disposed in a hydrauliccylinder 110 (see FIG. 4). Similarly and as is also shown in FIG. 4, thepiston 104 disposed in the cylinder 14 has a piston rod 112 connectedwith a piston 114 that is reciprocally disposed in a hydraulic cylinder116.

Referring to FIG. 4, the pump is shown schematically to illustrate thearrangement of the hydraulic apparatus for both actuating the pumppistons 102 and 104 and for operating the pump valve 16. As showntherein, the hydraulic cylinders 110 and 116 are connected with asolenoid-actuated, four-way valve 118 by conduits 120 and 122,respectively. The solenoid-actuated valve 118 is also connected with apump 124 by a conduit 126 and with a hydraulic fluid reservoir 128 by aconduit 130.

The solenoid-actuated valve 118 is a commercially available valvearranged to permit ow therethrough in the direction of the solid arrows,as shown in FIG. 4, when in one position and, when shifted to anotherposition, to permit ow therethrough in the direction of the dash arrowsshown in FIG. 4. Solenoids 119 and 121 are mounted on the valve 118 toshift the valve between the operating positions described.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the solenoid 119 is connected by a conductor132 with a ground 133 and by a conductor 134 with a switch 135 that ismounted on the pump 10 in a position to be actuated by the valveoperating member 90. A conductor 138 is connected with a battery orsource of electrical potential 140. The battery 140 is connected withthe ground 133 to complete the electrical circuit associated with theswitch 135 and solenoid 119.

The solenoid 121 on the valve 118 is connected with ground 133 by aconductor 139 and with a switch 141 by a conductor 143. The switch 141is arranged for actuation by the valve operating member 92. A conductor145 connects the switch 141 with the battery 140.

To complete the hydraulic circuit associated with the cylinders 110 and116 and the valve 118, a conduit 142 extends between the cylinders 110and 116 to provide communication therebetween on one side of the pistons108 and 114. The pump 124 is connected with a suction conduit 144 thatextends into the uid reservoir 128.

A solenoid-actuated, four-way valve 146 is connected with the hydrauliccylinders 22 and 24 by conduits 148 and 150, respectively. Thesolenoid-actuated valve 146 is a commercially available valve arrangedto permit ow therethrough, when in one position, in the direction asshown by the solid arrows in FIG. 4 and, when shifted to anotherposition, to permit ow therethrough in the direction of the dash arrowsshown in FIG. 4. Solenoids 147 and 149 are mounted on the valve 146 toshift the valve 146 between the operating positions described.

A conduit 152 connects the solenoid-actuated valve 146 with the conduit130 that extends from the solenoidactuated valve 118 to the fluidreservoir 128. A conduit 154 connects the solenoid-actuated valve 146with the pump 124. Opposite ends of the cylinders 22 and 24 areconnected in fluid communication by a conduit 156. Similarly, the `otherends of the cylinders 22 and 24 are connected by a conduit 158'.

The solenoid 147 is connected with the ground 133 by a conductor 160 andis connected with a switch 162 by a conductor 164. The switch 162 ispositioned adjacent the piston rod 106 so that it will be actuated by aswitch actuating member 163 mounted on the rod 106. A conductor 166extends from the switch 162 to the source of electrical potential 140 tocomplete the electrical circuit associated with the solenoid 147.

The solenoid 149 on the valve 146 is connected with the ground 133 by aconductor 168 and with a switch 170 by a conductor 172. The switch 170is disposed adjacent the piston rod 112 so that it is actuated by aswitch actuating member 174 mounted on the piston rod 112. A conductor176 connects the switch 170 with the battery 140.

Operation The operation of the slurry pump 10 may be best understood byreference to FIG. 4. As shown therein, the pump valve 1-6 has beenbroken down into two components. The view in the lower left hand portionof FIG. 4 illustrates the pump valve 16 with the upper portion thereofremoved similar to the sectional view of FIG. 2. In the the lower righthand portion of FIG. 4, the upper annular flange 74 of the valve isillustrated so that the `operation of the hydraulic cylinders 22 and 24to position the valve member 54 may be more clearly illustrated. It willbe understood that the pump valve 16 in actual practice is constructedas previously described.

Assuming that the solenoid-actuated valve 118 has been positioned sothat the flow therethrough is in the direction of the dash arrows, itcan be seen that hydraulic fluid flows from the pump 124 through theconduit 126, through the valve 118 and conduit 122 into the hydrauliccylinder 116. Upon entering the hydraulic cylinder 116, the fluid drivesthe piston 114 relatively toward the'pump valve 16 to the positionillustrated in FIG. 4. 1

As the piston 114 moves relatively toward the pump valve 16, `the piston104 in the cylinder 14 forces 4any slurry that may be in the cylinder 14through the adapter 34 and the opening 33 into the annular space 66formed in the pump valve 16. The slurry is then discharged from the pumpvalve 16 through the opening 40 into the discharge member 42.

Simultaneously, tluid from the hydraulic cylinder 116 on the oppositeside of the piston 114 passes through the conduit 142 into the hydrauliccylinder 110, driving the piston 108 relatively toward thesolenoid-actuated valve 118, that is, toward the position illustrated inFIG. 4. The simultaneous movement of the piston 102 in response to themovement of the piston 108 relatively away from the pump valve 16creates a reduced pressure in the cylinder 12 and adapter 38 so thatslurry contained in the hopper 18 (see FIG. 3) flows through thedischarge opening 19 therein into the interior of the valve member 54,through the aperture 72, through the adapter 38 and into the cylinder12.

The valve -member S4 is illustrated in FIG. 4 as being positioned withthe aperture 72 therein disposed in communication with the cylinder 12.The positioning of the valve member 54 is accompli-shed by positioningthe solenoid-actuated valve 146 so thatfluid ow therethrough follows thedash arrows shown in FIG. 4. With the solenoid-actuated valve 146 inthis position, iluid flows from the pump 124 through the conduit 154into the solenoid-actuated valve 146 and through the conduit 148 intothe cylinder 22. As the uid enters the cylinder 22, the piston 98 isdriven relatively toward the pump valve 16 and, due to the connectionbetween the piston rod 9,5 `and the valve operating member 90, rotatesthe upper annular flange 74 and the attached valve member 54to theposition wherein the aperture 72 is in communicationwith the cylinder12.

Simultaneously, the fluid in the cylinder 22 on the opposite side of thepiston 98 passes through the conduit 156 to the cylinder 24 andoutwardly therefrom through the conduit 150, the solenoid-actuated valve146 and, the conduit 152 into the iluid reservoir 12,8.,Also, udentering the cylinder 22 from the conduit 148 passes through the conduit158 into the cylinder 24, driving the piston 100 relatively toward thesolenoid-actuated valve 146 and, thus, exerting a force through thepiston rod 96 on the valve operating member 92 to aid in rotating thevalve member 54.

As the piston 114 approaches the end of the travel as illustrated inFIG. 4, the switch actuating member 174 mounted thereon engages theswitch 170 to move it to the closed position to energize the solenoid149 on the valve 146. When the solenoid-actuated valve 146 is thusenergized, the valve 146 is shifted by the solenoid 149 to the positionwherein flow therethrough is in the direction of the solid arrows. Fluidowing through the conduit 154 from the pump 124 is then diverted intothe conduit 150 and into the cylinder 24.

As the fluid enters the cylinder 24, the piston 100 is driven relativelytoward the pump valve 16. Also, the fluid Hows through the conduit 156into `the cylinder 22 to drive the piston 98 relatively away from thepump valve 16. The combined forces exerted on the `pistons 98 and 100rotate the valve member 54 to a position (not shown) wherein theaperture 72 in the valve members 54 is in communication with thecylinder 14.

As the valve member 54 is shifted to the position described, the valveoperating member 90 engages the switch 135. The engagement of the switch135 and the valve operating member 90, closes the switch 135 andenergizes the solenoid 119 on the valve 118. Energizing the solenoid 119on the valve 118, shifts the valve 118 until the fluid flow paththerethrough is in the direction of the solid line arrows illustrated inFIG. 4.

With the valve 118 in the position described, iluid from the pump 124flows through the conduit 126 and the valve 6 118 into the conduit 120and then into the hydraulic cylinder 110. As the fluid enters thehydraulic cylinder 110, the piston 108 is driven relatively toward thevalve 16 and, by virtue of the connection between the piston rod 106,the piston 102, and the piston 108, drives the piston 102 in thecylinder 12 relatively toward the pump valve 16. As the piston 102 movestoward the pump valve 16, the slurry contained therein is driven throughthe adapter 38 into the annular space 66 in the pump valve 16 andoutwardly through the opening 40 into the discharge member 42.

Simultaneously, slurry from the hopper 1S (see FIG. 3) flows downwardlythrough the discharge opening 19 into the interior of the valve member54. From the in-` terior of the valve member 54 the slurry flows throughthe apertures 72 into the adapter 34 tilling the cylinder 14.

As the piston 108 moves relatively toward the pump valve 16, Huid passesthrough the conduit 142 into the hydraulic cylinder 116, moving thepiston 114 relatively away from the pump valve 16. Movement of thepiston 114 away from the pump valve 16, disengages the switch actuatingmember 174 carried by the piston rod 112 from the switch 170, therebypermitting the switch to open.

When the piston 102 reaches the end of its stroke, the switch operatingmember 163 closes the switch 162 and when the switch 162 closes, currentows to the solenoid 147 on the valve 146 so that the valve 146 is againmoved to the position wherein the flow therethrough is in accordancewith the dash arrows shown in FIG. 4.

With the solenoid-actuated valve 146 thus positioned, fluid from thepump 124 drives the piston V98 into the assumed initial position, thatis, into the position illustrated in FIG. 4. As shown therein, the valveoperating member 92 closes the switch 141, energizing the solenoid 121on the valve 118, again shifting the valve 118 to the position whereinliow therethrough is in the direction of the dash arrows. When thisoccurs, the pump 10 hasv completed one complete cycle and it continuesto operate in succeeding cycles as previously described.

It should be pointed out, that the discharge pressurel exerted on thepump valve 16 by the movement of either' the piston 102 or 104relatively toward the pump valve 16 is exerted on the exterior of thevalve member 54 in4 the annular space 66. With the pressure thusapplied, ity can be appreciated that the valve 16 is effectivelyprevented from freezing, that is, pressure locking in the,` valvehousing 28 since lthe pressure tends to force the valve member 54relatively away from the housing 28.y

Stated in another way, the pressure forces acting in the annular space66 tend to force the valve member 54 andv the valve housing 28 inrelatively opposite directions and,l thus, relatively away from eachother to avoid the pos-.

sibility of binding therebetween.

As previously mentioned, the hopper 18 (see FIG. l) l is attached to thevalve 16 and, more specifically, the hopper 18 is attached to the upperannular flange 74 of the valve member 54. Thus, the hopper 18 moves withthe valve member 54 as the valve member 54 is alternatelyr positioned toprovide communication between the aperture 72 and the cylinders 12 and14. With the hopper 18 moving with the valve member 54, the relativelyviscous slurry is constantly agitated and thus does not have anopportunity to adhere to the hopper 18, thus, preventing the dischargeof the slurry from the hopper 18 into the valve member54.

Emboaz'ment of FIG. 5

The valve 200 includes a valve body 202 having a closed i lower end 204and a substantially open end 206. An annular member 208 is connectedwith the open end 206 y of the valve body 202 and extends inwardlyterminating adjacent a valve member 210. An O-ring seal 212 is disposedin an O-ring groove 214 formed in the interior or bore of the valve body202 relatively near the open end 206. A second O-ring seal 216 isdisposed in an annular groove 218 formed in the interior of the valvebody 202 relatively near the closed lower end 204. The valve body 202includes spaced openings 205 and 207 extending through the wall thereof.A third opening, corresponding to the opening 40 (see FIG. 2) is alsoprovided although it is not illustrated.

The valve member 210 includes an open end 220 and a closed lower end222. The closed lower end 222 extends radially outwardly forming aflange 224 that has its periphery in sealing enga-gement with the O-ringseal 216.

A liange 226 encircles the valve member 210 extending radially outwardlytherefrom into sealing engagement with the O-ring seal 212.

A pair of vertically disposed members 228 and 230 (shown in dash linesin FIG. extend between the flanges 224 and 226. It will be understoodthat the members 228 and 230 are constructed similarly to the members 68and 70 previously described in connection with the valve 16. The members228 and 230 have one edge (not shown) connected with the valve member210 and the other edge thereon extending into sliding engagement withthe interior of the valve body 202. An aperture 232 extends through thevalve member 210 between the flanges 224 and 226 and between the members228 and 230.

A shaft 2'34 extends from the closed lower end 222 of the valve member210 through the closed lower end 204 of the valve body 202. A thrustbearing 236 encircles the shaft 234 and engages the closed lower end 204of the valve body 202 to rotatably support the valve member 210 therein.

A second thrust bearing, designated by the reference character 238,encircles the valve member 210 above the flange 226. As clearlyillustrated in FIG. 5, a lower race 240 of the thrust bearing 238 isconnected with the valve member 210 while an upper race 242 engages theannular member 208 of the valve body 202. A sleeve 244 extendsdownwardly from the annular member 208 to slidingly support the upperrace 242. A plurality of threaded members 246 extend through the`annular member 208 into engagement with the upper race 242. Thethreaded members 246 are provided so that the thrust bearing 238 can beforced downwardly relative to the valve body 2012, thereby eliminatingany vertical movement between the valve member 210 and the valve body202.

A generally hemispherical hopper 18a having an opening 19a therein isconnected with the open end 220 of the valve member 210. The hopper 18ais connected with the valve member 210 by a sleeve 250 that is attachedto the hopper 18a and encircles the open end 220 of the valve member210. A plurality of threaded fasteners 252 extend through the sleeve 250into engagement with the valve member 210 to securely retain the hopper18a thereon.

Valve operating members 254 and 256 are attached to the sleeve 250 andextend outwardly therefrom. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the piston rods 95and 96 are pivotally connected with the valve operating members 254 and256, respectively.

The valve 200 may be used in lieu of the valve 16 in combination withthe pump 10. It should also be apparent from the foregoing detaileddescription that the operation of the valve 200, with the exception ofthe upper thrust bearing 238 which has been substituted for the sleevebearing 84, is identical in operation to the valve 16.

The embodiments described in detail hereinbefore are presented by way ofexample only it should be understood that many changes and modificationscan be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the inventionor from the annexed claims.

What I claim is:

1. A pump valve comprising:

a housing having a bore extending partially therethrough defining anopen end and a closed end and having first, second and third openingsextending through the wall of said housing into said bore;

a valve member pivotally mounted in said bore and having a boreextending partially therethrough defining an open end and a closed end,the closed end of said valve member being disposed adjacent the closedend of said housing, said valve member having a first annular flangeadjacent the open end of said valve member in sealing engagement withsaid housing,

a second annular ange adjacent the closed end of said valve member insealing engagement with said housing,

a pair of spaced members connected with said valve member and extendingbetween and connected with said flanges, and

an aperture extending through the wall of said valve member between saidanges and between said spaced members;

means journaling said valve member in said housing;

and,

means connected with the open end of said valve meinber for pivotingsaid valve member from a position wherein said aperture is aligned withsaid first opening and said second and third openings are incornmunication to a position wherein said aperture is aligned with saidsecond opening and said first and third openings are in communication.

2. A pump valve comprising:

a housing having a bore extending partially therethrough defining anopen end and a closed end;

first, second and third openings extending radially through the wall ofsaid housing into said bore;

first and second annular seals disposed in spaced annular grooves insaid housing adjacent said bore, said first annular seal being locatedbetween said openings and the closed end of said housing, said secondannular seal being located between said openings and the open end ofsaid housing;

a hollow valve member having an open end adjacent the operi end of saidhousing and journaled in said housing, the open end of said valve memberbeing exposed through the open end of said housing for mounting anexternally accessible material holding element thereon to move with saidvalve member relative to said housing and to feed material to the hollowinterior of said valve member, said valve member being located in saidbore and including a first annular flange sealingly engaging said secondannular seal,

a second annular ange sealingly engaging said first annular seal member,

an aperture extending through the wall of said valve member into theinterior thereof, said aperture being located between said annularlflanges, and a pair of parallel spaced members extending between saidflanges and disposed on each side of said aperture, said members beingin engagement with said housing; and,

means connected with said valve member for pivoting said valve memberfrom a position whe-rein said aperture is in communication with saidfirst opening and said second and third openings are in communication toa position wherein said aperture is in cornmunication with said secondopening and said first and third openings are in communication.

3. A pump valve comprising:

a housing having a bore extending partially therethrough defining anopen end and a closed end in said housing, said housing also havingfirst, second and third radially spaced openings in the wall thereofextending into said bore, a first annular groove adjacent said bore andbetween said openings and the open end of said housing, and a secondannular groove adjacent said bore and between said openings and theclosed end of said housing;

an annular seal disposed in each of said annular grooves;

a valve member having a bore extending partially therethrough definingan open end and a closed end in said valve member, said open end beingdisposed` adjacent the open end in said housing, said valve member alsohaving an aperture extending through the wall thereof into the bore insaid valve member;

a first annular flange connected with the open end of said valve memberand having a periphery proximate said housing in said bore;

first bearing means disposed between the periphery of said first annularflange and said housing to journal said valve member in said housing;

a second annular flange connected with said valve member and having aperiphery in sealing engagement with the annular seal in said firstannular groove;

a third annular flange connected with said valve member in spacedparallel relation to said second annular flange and having a peripheryin sealing engagement with the annular seal in said second annulargroove, said second and third annular flanges being located on saidvalve member on opposed sides of said aperture;

a pair of parallel spaced members extending between and connected withsaid second and third flanges and with said valve member between said second and third flanges, said parallel spaced members being disposed onopposed sides of said aperture and each having an edge engaging saidhousing;

second bearing means journaling the closed end of said valve member inthe closed end of said housing; and,

means connected with the open end of said valve member for pivoting saidvalve member from a position wherein said aperture is aligned with saidlfirst opening and said second and third openings are in communicationto a position aligning said aperture with said second opening and saidfirst and third openings are in communication;

4. The pump valve of claim 3 wherein said first bearing means includes:

a sleeve connected with the periphery of said first annular flangeengaging said housing; and,

means in said housing for lubricating the surface of said sleeveengaging said housing.

5. The pump valve of claim 4 wherein said second bearing means includes:

a shaft connected with the closed end of said valve member and extendingthrough the closed end of said housing; and,

a thrust bearing connected with the closed end of said housing and valvemember and encircling said shaft for rotatably supporting said valvemember in said housing against both thrust and radial forces.

6. A pump valve comprising:

a housing having a bore extending partially there through defining anopen end and a closed end in said housing, said housing also havingfirst, second and third radially spaced openings in the wall thereofextending into said bore, a first annular groove adjacent said bore andbetween said openings and the open end of said housing, and a secondannular groove adjacent said bore and between said openings and theclosed end of said housing;

an annular seal disposed in each of said annular grooves;

a valve member having a bore extending partially therethrough definingan open end and a closed end in said valve member, said open end beingdisposed adjacent the open end in said housing, said valve member alsohaving an aperture extending through the wall thereof into the bore insaid valve member;

a first annular flange connected with the open end of said housing andhaving an inner periphery proximate said valve member;

first bearing means disposed between said first annular flange and saidvalve member to journal the open end of said valve member in saidhousing;

a second annular flange connected with said valve member and having aperiphery in sealing engagement with the annular seal in said firstannular groove;

a third annular flange connected with said valve member in spacedparallel relation to said second annular flange and having a peripheryin sealing engagement with the annular seal in said second annulargroove,

said second and third annular flanges being located on said valve memberon opposed sides of said aperture;

a pair of parallel spaced members extending between and connected withsaid second and third flanges and with said valve member between saidsecond and third flanges, said parallel spaced members being disposed onopposed sides of said aperture and each having an edge engaging saidhousing;

second bearing means journaling the closed end of said valve member inthe closed end of said housing; and,

means connected with the open end of said valve member for pivoting saidvalve member from a position wherein said aperture is aligned with saidfirst opening and said second and third openings are in communication toa position aligning said aperture with said second opening and saidfirst and third openings are in communication.

7. The pump valve of claim 6 and also including adjusting means operablyconnected with said first annular` flange for adjusting the position ofsaid first bearing means relative to said housing to eliminate relativevertical movement between said housing and valve member.

8. The pump valve of claim 7 wherein said adjusting means includes:

an annular sleeve depending from said first annular flange andencircling said valve member;

a thrust bearing having one race connected with said valve member andhaving the other race located for sliding movement in said annularsleeve; and

a plurality of threaded members extending through and in threadedengagement with said first annular flange, said threaded members havingone end engaging said other race, whereby rotating said threaded membersmoves said other race relative to said annular sleeve to eliminaterelative vertical movement between said valve member and housing.

9. A pump for pumping concrete slurry comprising:

first and second cylinders each having an open end and a closed end;

a piston reciprocally disposed in each of said cylinders and having anelongated rod portion extending through the closed end of saidcylinders;

driving means connected with said rod portions for alternatelyreciprocating said pistons;

a valve housing having a bore extending partiallytherethrough forming anopen end and a closed end in said housing, said housing having a firstopening in the wall thereof in communication with the open end of saidfirst cylinder, a second opening in the wall thereof in communicationwith the open end of said second cylinder, and a third opening in thewall thereof; a valve member located in the bore in said housing and journaled therein and having a bore extending partially therethroughforming an open end and a closed end, the open end being disposedadjacent the open end of said housmg,

a iirst annular flange sealingly engaging said housing between saidopenings and the open end of said housing,

a second annular flange sealingly engaging said housing between saidopenings and the closed end of said housing,

a pair of parallel spaced members extending between said flanges, and

an aperture extending through the wall of said valve member between saidflanges and parallel spaced members;

a hopper member mounted on the open end of said valve member and havingan opening therein in communication with the bore in said valve member;and,

means connected with the open end of said valve member and operablyinterconnected with said driving means for pivoting said valve memberfrom a position wherein said aperture is in communication with saidfirst opening and said second and third openings are in communicationwhen the piston in said second cylinder is moving toward the open end ofsaid second cylinder to a position wherein said aperture is incommunication with said second opening and said first and third openingsare in communication when the piston in said first cylinder movingtoward the open end of said first cylinder.

10. The pump of claim 9 wherein said driving means includes:

first shiftable valve means operably interconnected with said hydraulicpump and with said -lirst and second hydraulic cylinders for directingfluid alternately to said hydraulic cylinders;

first control means engageable with the means for pivotA ing said valvemember and -connected with said valve means to shift said first valvemeans to alternate the flow of fluid to said hydraulic cylinders.

11. The pump of claim 9 wherein said means connected with the open endof said valve member for pivoting said valve member includes:

third and fourth hydraulic cylinders;

a piston reciprocally disposed in each of said third and fourthcylinders and operably connected with said valve member;

second shiftable valve means operably interconnected between saidhydraulic pump and third and fourth hydraulic cylinders for directinglluid alternately to said third and fourth hydraulic cylinders; and,

second control means engageable with one of said rod portions andconnected with said second shiftable valve means for shifting saidsecond shiftable valve means to alternate the flow of fluid between saidthird and fourth hydraulic cylinders in timed relation with the movementof said rod portion.

12. The pump of claim 11 wherein said first and second shiftable valvemeans are solenoid-actuated, four-way valves; and, wherein said firstand second control means include:

a source of electrical energy connected with each of saidsolenoid-actuated, four-way valves; and,

an electrical switch connected with said electrical energy and with arespective one of said solenoid-actuated, four-way valves.

13. A pump valve comprising:

a housing 'having a bore extending partially therethrough defining anopen end and a closed end and having first, second and third openingsextending through the wall of said housing into said bore;

a valve member pivotally mounted in said bore and having a boreextending partially therethrough and opening through one end of saidvalve member, the opposite end of said valve member being disposedadjacent the closed end of said housing, said valve member havin-g afirst flange extending at least partially around said valve memberadjacent the open end of said valve member in sealing engagement withsaid housing,

a second flange extending partially around said valve member and spacedtherealong from said first flange and extending into sealing enga-gementwith said housing,

a pair of spaced members connected with said valve member and extendingbetween and connected with said flanges, and

an aperture extending through the wall of said valve member between saidflanges, and between said spaced members;

means journaling said valve member in said housing;

and

means connected with the end of said valve member carrying the openingof said bore therein for pivoting said valve member from a positionwherein said aperture is aligned with said first opening, and saidsecond and third openings are in communication, to a position whereinsaid aperture is aligned with said second opening, and said first andthird openings are in communication.

14. A pump valve for dispensing a viscous material susceptible tosetting up upon standing comprising:

a hollow housing having an open end and having first, second and thirdopenings extending through the wall of said housing and communicatingwith the hollow interior of the housing;

a valve member pivotally mounted in said housing and having a boreextending partially therethrough and opening through an end of saidvalve member disposed at the open end of said housing, said valve memberhaving a tirst annular flange secured around said valve memberconcentric to the lpivotal axis of said valve member and in sealingengagement with said housing;

a second annular flange secured around said valve member in spacedrelation, and substantially parallel, to said first annular flange, andin sealing engagement with said housing;

a pair of spaced members connected with said valve member and extendingbetween, and connected with, said annular flanges; and

an aperture extending through the wall of said valve member between saidannular flanges and between said spaced members;

a hopper secured to the end of said valve member through which said boreopens and having its interior communicating with the bore in said valvemember; and

means connected to said valve member adjacent said hopper for pivotingthe hopper and simultaneously pivoting said valve member from a positionwherein said aperture is aligned with said first opening in saidhousing, and said second and third openings are in communication, to aposition wherein said aperture is aligned with said second opening, andsaid first and third openings are in communication.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,810,766 6/1931 Hohulin.

2,796,032 6/1957 Ballert 103--153 3,096,788 7/1963 Talbot et al.

3,146,721 9/1964 Schwing 103-49 ROBERT M. WALKER, Primary Examiner.

1. A PUMP VALVE COMPRISING: A HOUSING HAVING A BORE EXTENDING PARTIALLYTHERETHROUGH DEFINING AN OPEN END AND A CLOSED END AND HAVING FIRST,SECOND AND THIRD OPENINGS EXTENDING THROUGH THE WALL OF SAID HOUSINGINTO SAID BORE; A VALVE MEMBER PIVOTALLY MOUNTED IN SAID BORE AND HAVINGA BORE EXTENDING PARTIALLY THERETHROUGH DEFINING A OPEN END AND A CLOSEDEND, THE CLOSED END OF SAID VALVE MEMBER BEING DISPOSED ADJACENT THECLOSED END OF SAID HOUSING, SAID VALVE MEMBER HAVING A FIRST ANNULARFLANGE ADJACENT THE OPEN END OF SAID VALVE MEMBER IN SEALING ENGAGEMENTWITH SAID HOUSING, A SECOND ANNULAR FLANGE ADJACENT THE CLOSED END OFSAID VALVE MEMBER IN SEALING ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID HOUSING, A PAIR OFSPACED MEMBERS CONNECTED WITH SAID VALVE MEMBER AND EXTENDING BETWEENAND CONNECTED WITH SAID FLANGES, AND AN APERTURE EXTENDING THROUGH THEWALL OF SAID VALVE MEMBER BETWEEN SAID FLANGES AND BETWEEN SAID SPACEDMEMBERS; MEANS JOURNALING SAID VALVE MEMBER IN SAID HOUSING; AND, MEANSCONNECTED WITH THE OPEN END OF SAID VALVE MEMBER FOR PIVOTING SAID VALVEMEMBER FROM A POSITION WHEREIN SAID APERTURE IS ALIGNED WITH SAID FIRSTOPENING AND SAID SECOND AND THIRD OPENINGS ARE IN COMMUNICATION TO APOSITION WHEREIN SAID APERTURE IS ALIGNED WITH SAID SECOND OPENING ANDSAID FIRST AND THIRD OPENINGS ARE IIN COMMUNICATION.